Wash Park and West Wash Park Urban Hiking Denver

Wash Park and West Wash Park Urban Hiking Denver

If you were to say, “Where’s Washington Park?” to someone in Denver, you’d get a few screwy looks. Although officially named after our first president, locals have abbreviated these two neighborhoods to Wash and West Wash Park. In Wash Park neighborhood is the park, Wash Park, not to be confused with the neighborhood’s name of Wash Park.

Two ‘Hoods Sharing a Park, Kinda

Spanning from E Alameda to the north, I25 to the south, S Broadway to the west and S University to the east, these two neighborhoods meet in the middle at S Downing St. If Wash Park is the residential and recreational side of the area, then West Wash is the shopping and entertainment section. But both neighborhoods have cottages and mansions, and both claim Wash Park, the park, as their local getaway.

Wash Park, the park, invites walkers, runners, skaters and bikers in a rigid and controlled system of lanes and paths. Step in the wrong path at the wrong speed, and the locals will let you know your error. The park has acres and acres of open space for volleyball, sunbathing, frisbee and outdoor fun. Formal gardens welcome you in the spring and summer, along with paddle boarding and kayaking on the lakes. In the wintertime, if it ever gets cold enough again, you can throw on your ice skates or attach your cross country skies for miles of escape.

To the South!

South High School commands the southern end of the area. Once known for its “southern charm,” it’s now known as the one of the country’s most beautiful high schools. With ornate frescoes and facades and a giant football field, this school is here to stay and welcomes all who enter.

The Same, But Different

Although both neighborhoods have many similarities, they do maintain separate homeowners associations. West Wash has been instrumental, over time, in closing roads and protecting the safety and sanctity of its neighborhoods. Wash Park’s association (called East Wash Park Neighborhood Association), on the other hand, has hearkened back to its Myrtle Hill roots. Focusing on a progress and preservation theme, the association focuses on making sure the renovations and growth in and around the neighborhood and its park are appropriate.

Where do you want to go in Denver?

Recent Thoughts

Colorado is known for mild weather, beautiful mountains and a wide variety of outdoor adventures. Lucky for you there are dozens of hiking trails near Denver that exemplify why Denver is an outdoor destination all year round.

Here at UrbanHikingDEN we explore the best hikes in Denver, showing you where to head if you want to get out on the trail within minutes of the city center.

Hiking in Denver is a year-round activity. With well-maintained trails and easy access to the most populated areas of town, hiking Denver is an activity you can enjoy both when you are local to the city or visiting from out of town. Taking an urban hike in Denver is easy and close by.

Chris Englert has personally hiked all 78 neighborhoods in Denver and is a foremost expert on the best hikes in Denver. Colorado.